US voices 'serious concerns' over situation in East Jerusalem

WASHINGTON

The White House voiced "serious concerns" on Monday over violence in occupied East Jerusalem as tensions peak following an Israeli raid on al-Aqsa mosque.

"We are continuing to closely monitor the violence in Israel. We have serious concerns about the situation, including violent confrontations that we've seen over the last few days," spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

Psaki noted that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan "reiterated concerns about the potential evictions of Palestinian families from their homes," and condemned attacks from the Gaza Strip towards Israel during a Sunday telephone call with his Israeli counterpart.

"This is something that our national security team is closely monitoring, obviously, across government, certainly the president is kept abreast, and is watching closely as well," she said.

At least 305 people were injured as Israeli police on Monday stormed al-Aqsa in occupied East Jerusalem and attacked Palestinians who were on guard to prevent possible raids by far-right Jewish Israelis, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. Al-Aqsa is the third holiest mosque in Islam.

Tensions have been on the rise in East Jerusalem amid planned evictions of dozens of Palestinians from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, which is located just north of the Old City. Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the residents of Sheikh Jarrah have been targeted by Israeli forces and settler groups.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed the entire city in 1980 – a move that has never been recognized by the international community.